Gower Middle Weekly Update

Thank you to all of our students and staff for sharing what they are grateful for as we head into Thanksgiving week!

Tuesday, November 26th is a Teacher Institute Day and students are not in session, but they do benefit from being able to take part in our practice eLearning Day. This is an excellent way for our students and families to understand and become familiar with the eLearning process and gives everyone a chance to practice how we maintain continuity of learning on what would otherwise be an Emergency Day. We had over 90% student participation in our practice eLearning Day last year and look forward to another high turnout this year! Click here for more information on our eLearning procedures.

Students will have access to the eLearning assignments no later than 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26th. Our teachers will also be 'e'-vailable to help answer questions and guide students through the activities from 8:30 AM. - 1:30 PM on this day. This is great practice for everyone involved and a great use of our Teacher Institute Day!

If you have any questions about the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences or eLearning Day, please contact the Main Office, we will be glad to help.

The Illinois State Board of Education has made the 2023-2024 student performance data on IAR available to schools and to the public. This information can be found on the Annual School Report Card as a means to help support and increase parental engagement and build partnerships with community members and leaders. School Report Cards are accessible at www.illinoisreportcard.com.

In Gower, the 2024 Illinois School Report Card was presented to the School Board on 11/20/2024 and made available via the district website on the Academic Performance webpage.

Scholastic Bowl season is coming up very soon!

New this year: We will kick off the season with an online competition one day after school the week we return from Thanksgiving break. This is a great way for students to see if the team is for them!

During the regular season, which starts in March, we play a fast-paced trivia game (much like Jeopardy) where a team of Gower scholars is pitted against other schools to see who has the most knowledge! Questions focus on a wide range of topics: history, geography, current movies & music, math, science, books and MUCH MORE. You do NOT need to be an expert at any one topic or be an AT student to participate.

Practices will begin SOON and meets start in March.

Gower has a strong track record, so come be a part of this winning team!

If your child is interested in joining, please remind them to complete the Google form that was shared from Mrs. Small this week!

The Gower chess team will begin practicing on Monday, December 2nd. Chess is open to all 5th-8th grade students. Both beginner players (general knowledge of the rules is preferred) and experienced players are welcome to join the team. A Google form was shared with all students in regards to chess. If your child would like to be a part of the Gower chess team please remind them to complete the form.

An email was sent to all 8th grade parents yesterday detailing the spring Washington DC trip. All 8th graders also received an envelope of information. Here are a couple of important highlights about the trip:

• SIGN UP WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THIS EMAIL AND RECEIVE $100 OFF TRIP PRICE! *Please note this discount will manually be added to your trip account within 2 weeks of signing up. You will not see this discount upon signing up online or over the phone.

• The deadline to sign up for the trip is Friday December 6th. Sign up by this date to ensure your spot on the trip!

• WORLDSTRIDES SCHOLARSHIPS! Sign up by the deadline and be entered to win 1 of 10 $100 student travel scholarships for the trip!

• It’s only a small initial $115 deposit per person to sign up. The remaining amount is spread out over the months leading up to the trip.

• Use Trip ID 220964 to sign up. You can sign up online at worldstrides.com/register or by phone at 800-468-5899.

Click HERE to volunteer and spread the cheer!

If you would like to advertise your business with a table at the event, please contact: gower62president@gmail.com

Get front row parking & VIP seats for upcoming events
+ Middle School Band Concert
+ 2nd Grade music performance

Click HERE for more information

In advance of Giving Tuesday on December 3, the Gower Foundation and Gower 62 PTO are teaming up to help raise money to support The Gower Cares Closet, a program that helps Gower School District 62 students and families in need. This program provides school supplies, clothing, new shoes, personal care items, sports equipment and field trip sponsorships.

Their goal is to raise $1,000 to assist the Gower Student Support Services Program provide essential items (personal care items, clothing, etc) to students and families in need.

Additionally, Gower Cares has a reporting system to request student and family support.

Donations will be accepted for this program now through December 20, 2024. If your employer offers donation matches, The Gower Foundation may be eligible 501c3. Please contact the Gower Foundation if you have any questions about donation matching.

Click HERE to donate.

Monday, November 25th

Parent/Teacher Conferences-No student attendance

Varsity Girls Basketball IESA Regional at Rockford Marshall, 9:30 AM

Tuesday, November 26th

Teacher Institute Day

Practice eLearning day-no onsite student attendance

Wednesday, November 27th-Friday, November 29th

Thanksgiving Break~No School

Monday, December 2nd

School Resumes